On the morning of May 4th at 11:10, the opening ceremony of the 41st Golden Mountain Bay Area Chinese Adult Softball Championship was held grandly at Santana Park in San Jose. Leaders from the overseas Chinese community and sports enthusiasts gathered together to showcase the unity and passion of the Chinese community in the Bay Area.
Softball, as one of the competitive events of this year’s Chinese sports event, kicked off the series of sports events and set the stage for multiple competitions to follow. Starting from May 3rd, seven teams engaged in a four-weekend, six-day intense competition consisting of 21 round-robin games and 6 finals.
This year’s competition attracted seven strong teams, including the Ballers, the Taiwan University Alumni (Saturday) Team, the Taiwan University Alumni (Sunday) Team, the Taiwan Kao Tigers, the Stanford University Cardinals, the DBA First Run, and 3U3D. The opening ceremony was attended by dignitaries such as Vice Consul Zhu Yongchang of the San Francisco Taiwan Office and Advisory Committee member Lu Yuzhen, adding prestige to the event.
The opening ceremony at Santana Park’s green field was lively and vibrant, filled with enthusiasm and energy under the brilliant sunshine. Zhu Yongchang presided over the ceremony, joined by the Chinese Sports Commission Chairman Chen Ligong and Lu Yuzhen in the ceremonial first pitch. Zhu Yongchang and Chen Ligong cooperated for the first time, with each taking turns to pitch and swing, generating laughter; while Lu Yuzhen, a newcomer to softball, hit a crisp shot, earning cheers from the crowd. Lu Yuzhen expressed to reporters her full support for this year’s Chinese sports event, thanked Dajiyuan for its long-term coverage, actively invited social groups to participate, and hoped the event would unite the Chinese community in the Bay Area and carry on the spirit of sports.
Vice Consul Zhu Yongchang delivered a congratulatory speech, wishing the competition a smooth opening and humorously encouraging each player to “win the championship.” He expressed in an interview with Dajiyuan that the Chinese sports event has been an important platform for the Bay Area Chinese community for many years, covering about thirty sports, promoting exchanges between the overseas Chinese community and mainstream society, mobilizing over a hundred organizations to participate, showcasing deep history and influence. The San Francisco Taiwan Office has long supported this grand event, hoping that athletes will enhance friendship and enjoy sports during the competition.
Chairman Chen Ligong expressed his gratitude for the support from all sectors and encouraged athletes to give their best effort, wishing for a successful competition. In an interview, he reflected on the 40-year history of the Chinese sports event, emphasizing its continued growth despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, attributed to the dedication of volunteers and sponsors. He called on the overseas Chinese community and the business sector to continue their support, allowing the Chinese sports event to thrive and become a sustainable event uniting the community in the Bay Area.
Event coordinator Chen Shengming shared that the Chinese sports event has been uninterrupted since 1997. Although the number of teams has decreased from 23 to eight or nine due to economic changes, the enthusiasm for participation remains high. The competition is not only a stage for athletic competition but also an opportunity for the Chinese community to gather in the summer, promoting cultural exchange and friendship. He mentioned that the organizers, to accommodate the needs of the teams, specifically moved the competition period to May to avoid the common graduation season and summer travel peak in June, allowing more teams to participate without worry.
San Saetern, captain of the Ballers team, stated that since the team’s participation in 1997, most members are high school friends, using softball to maintain friendships and enjoy the fun of sports and gatherings.
Jeffrey Chang, former captain and third baseman of the Taiwan University Alumni team, shared his 13-year participation in the Chinese sports event, thanking the organizers for providing a platform for both new and old players to exchange skills. He looks forward to the event continuing, uniting more sports enthusiasts in the Bay Area.
Amy Chen, a member of the Taiwan University women’s team and a software engineer who plays outfield, originally from Vancouver, Canada, used to play women’s fast-pitch softball and challenged herself to participate in the men’s competition. She humorously mentioned, “Initially, the male teammates were a bit polite, but after catching and hitting the ball, everyone got serious!” She noted that the competition promotes community interaction and allows her to enjoy the sunny weather.
Cannon Lin, a member of the Taiwan University team and a first baseman and outfielder, a professional pilot for an airline, inspired by Taiwan’s baseball culture, has loved the sport since childhood. After moving to the Bay Area, he joined the team and as a “rookie,” felt excited: “Reconnecting with the feeling of the bat is fantastic, there is so much passion and energy here.”
The 41st Chinese sports event softball competition, serving as a bridge for sports, connects the Chinese community in the Bay Area with mainstream society, showcasing athletic spirit and community unity. After the opening pitch ceremony, the players are poised to give their best in the upcoming weeks, sweating it out and writing a brilliant chapter in the competition.